"I suppose there's no sense in planning our future based on assumptions and hypotheticals, anyhow. We should focus on the here and now." Marianne has no intentions of letting this issue go forever, but she's fine with dropping it for now. All they're likely to do is go around and around at this point.

Patient and caring as Marianne is, there's a small part of her that just wants to reach over and shake him. She knows him to be stubborn, but this goes so far against his own self-interest that she can't help but feel some frustration over it. It's like nothing she says is really getting through because he's so committed to his own emotional demise.

This must be like what it was to deal with her once upon a time. The irony of it isn't lost on her. Bless the people who were patient enough to be persistent with her. It's a blessing she intends to pay forward.

"...I know," she counters gently. "It doesn't change anything about who you are or how I see you.

"That said, I know how delicate and terrifying it can feel. Nothing we've spoken of today will leave this room, Lorenz. I promise you that."